A Murder in Pembrokeshire

Vicki Blunt Welsh Detective Mysteries #1

by Nicola Clifford

The first novel in an absolutely gripping new female detective series set in West Wales

Sergeant Vicki Blunt has been demoted to uniform after challenging her snide superior, DI Glyn Hughes. But when a woman is found dead in her car, with CID short-staffed, she finds herself having to do the legwork.

The deceased is Christina Page, a teacher at the local primary school. Having suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, it looks like a tragic case of suicide.

Vicki meets her family, her sleazy boss, and her colleagues at the school, and learns that Christina was being tormented by trolls online. Enough to push her over the edge.

Yet very much still the detective, something doesn’t quite add up for Vicki. She notes bruises to the body, and the car having been tampered with. Can she risk rocking the boat?

As she follows her nose, her mind is also on a miscarriage of justice that has seen an innocent woman jailed. Her burning desire to right past wrongs might further jeopardise her career, even if it offers the chance to get back at her boss.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2025

Reviews

[Andrew Allpass · Rating 5 out of 5]

So here we go - at last a new book by Ms Clifford, and with brand new characters to enjoy!
(although I sincerely hope we have some more Stacey & Ben books in the near future please!)
As usual there is a great main plot, with sub plots popping up to keep you interested (and confused with red herrings and the like) - love it! And Vicki is a great new character, with her good friend/landlady Susan to help her along the way with useful advice in matters other than just police work (you'll find out about Susan when you read the book!) Ms Clifford's beautiful descriptions of the Welsh countryside adds atmosphere and pleasant distraction from the engrossing plot as it twists and turns and takes you on a real page-turner....another book that's hard to put down and turn the bedroom light off! I see Book 2 in the series has also been published hot on the heels of this blinder, so I will be reviewing that one shortly.

[J Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting main character in a good read.
I have really enjoyed Nicola Clifford's featuring Stacey Logan and so was looking forward to this book, with a new location and a new lead character. it has not disappointed.
Police Officer Vicky Blunt has been demoted back to Detective Sergeant after a run-in with her DI, and so is now back in uniform. Due to staff shortages and work pressures, she leads an investigation into an appa4ent suicide that turns out to be far worse.
there are lots of twists and turns, andside plotting this story that will keep the reader guessing.

[Carol Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read

Great story line, and certainly a nice twist. Very modern read and well written. Have found a lot of detective / policing books a tad routine and boring recently but this has gotten my mojo back

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A urder in Pembrokeshire

A truly gripping murder mystery set in beautiful Welsh countryside. There is no detail missed in this read and you have a clear image of police and suspects throughout the book. A definite read if you enjoy detective work.

[cherine tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. A who dunnit that keeps you guessing.

I enjoyed this book especially as I live in one of the areas mentioned and know all the other areas well. Couldn't put it down a good read for whodunnit fans.

[Peter Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a start to Nicola's new detective series! Throughly enjoyed, great characters and a plot to keep you guessing to the end.

[Rachel Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book. great characters and kept me guessing till the end!

[Viv Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner

This book is based locally to me in Haverfordwest. I enjoyed all the local references in what was a very good read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[ANDREW-C-FRASER · Rating 5 out of 5]

RMSTitanic12

I enjoyed this story it was good from beginning to the end and the characters were most believable,Looking forward to the next book in this series,well done.

[Susan udraufski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

Enjoyed reading this book with more than a few twists,looking forward to reading more of the authors books which I have downloaded two.

[Lucia Callan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first crime series that Nicola Clifford brought us and avidly follwed Ben and Stacey in their quest to catch and bang to rights the various criminals they dealt with. Now we have a new series with Vicky Blunt taking the lead role. A whole new set of characters to embrace and plenty more skullduggery going on in beautiful west Wales to get stuckminto. I love the first book and was held captive till the last page. No shortage of interlooping stories and clever twists to keep me turning the pages. Great writing and left me eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

[The Book Folks · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely brilliant start to a new series in what has to be one of the nicest places in the UK. Vicki Blunt is a great cop, tough enough to take what is thrown at her, sensitive enough to make sure justice is done.

[Graham Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

All too neatly worked and solved